He gently squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you didn’t give up on me.”
“Would you have given up on me if you had to choose between me and duty?”
He knew the response he was trained to give. The one that spoke of loyalty to only the Talons and the Grey Council. Everyone else was expendable, and that included female Wizards as well as male Wizards. Male Wizards were trained toprotect their females, but only if it didn’t conflict with the wishes of the leadership.
He drew her closer until she was pressed against the side of the tub. She was waiting for his answer. She had saved his life and deserved the truth. “I don’t know, Morgan.” He expected her to slap him, verbally take him to task, or drown him.
“Your doubt is a first step on a long road.” Morgan reached for a folded towel and held it against her chest. “Your uncertainty would not please the Grey Council.”
“You got that right. They’d be pissed. Probably have me killed on principle.” He gripped the side of the tub and shoved to a standing position, grimacing when pain shot through his body. “That hurt.”
“Cassandra said you might have a little pain for a day or two. Is it very bad?”
“Pain of the body I can understand,” he said reaching for the towel to wrap around his waist. “It’s all the other stuff I can’t seem to get right.”
As he secured the towel, his muscles flexed and rippled over Rowan’s bare chest and shoulders. Morgan felt her face heat as sensual memories flooded over her. “It pleases me you are being honest. It is a start,” she managed, refolding a blanket. She was mesmerized by the way his eyes warmed like a banked fire as his gaze touched hers.
“Any chance I can get a shower?”
“Probably not.” Her breath caught in her throat. He had moved closer to her and her skin flamed under his scrutiny as the tight quarters of the wagon closed in around her. “The reason you’re in the wagon is that although Cassandra agreed to heal you, she won’t allow you in the house. I’ll have someone bring fresh water and a clean bathtub.”
“You’re leaving? What if I have a relapse?”
“I will not be long, and Renegade is outside standing guard. Let him know if the pain increases, or if you think you are losing your eyesight again, and he will send for help.”
“Why do I have a guard?”
She lifted an eyebrow.
He heaved a sigh. “Got it. Trolls don’t trust Wizards, and I’m on probation. I can live with that. Still not crazy about the whole bath experience, though. I’m more of a shower kind of guy—unless you join me,” he said with a boyish grin.
She backed toward the door of the wagon until the handle dug into her back. She wanted to stay but knew his presence here was precarious. If she indulged her desires, Cassandra might interpret it to mean that she had been enchanted by the Fire Wizard and was not thinking clearly.
“I could spray you down with a hose.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Promise?”
“I was kidding.”
“Too late. I’m going to hold you to it.”
Her heart beat so rapidly she thought for sure he must hear its thunder. If she didn’t leave in the next few seconds, she knew she never would. She forced herself to turn the door handle. “For now, you will have to be content with the tub.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Morgan left the gypsy wagon, pausing along the path leading to the mansion to catch her breath. She placed cool hands against her warm face. Being so close to Rowan made it hard to breathe. She reminded herself that although he bent the rules when he saved Wiz, and outright broke them by not disclosing her whereabouts, she would be a fool to trust him completely. He admitted he was wavering, and that gave her hope, but she worried about how long that would hold. What would convince him that he had placed his trust in the wrong people?
All she had to do was keep a strong wall around her heart for a little while longer. She shook her head slowly. Who was she trying to fool? The barrier around her heart had begun to crumble the moment she saw him the first night of Bealtaine.
Regaining her composure, she hurried to the mansion. From the water side, shielded by a thick stand of trees, the mansion was a massive four-story building. Beveled glass windows ran the length of the house, with designs of birds and flowers embedded in the brick and on the thick shake roof. The air was infused with a rich cacophony of sights, sounds and intoxicating smells. Gypsy wagons lined one side of the lawn leading to the shore, while bazaar booths lined the other.
Cassandra waited for Morgan at the back entrance. “The young Wizardlings are gathering in the solarium and await your instructions.” She paused as her mouth formed a hard line. “How is the Fire Wizard coping with his new surroundings?”
“He wants a shower. Thank you again. Rowan would have died or turned, without your help.” A young man and woman, dressed in traditional gypsy costumes and holding hands, rushed past Morgan toward one of the outdoor bazaars, reminding her of the upcoming celebrations. Morgan frowned.“Cassandra, do you think it is wise to have the Freedom Celebration, under the circumstances?”
“If we did not, it would draw attention. This is the anniversary of our independence from the Talons and the Grey Council. To cancel the celebrations would draw undue speculation, and I worry the news might make it back to the magical community.” She drew Morgan toward the solarium. “The spirit of the celebration is acceptance. With your assurance that the Fire Wizard is here in peace, and Wiz’s account of how he saved his life, my people have agreed to allow the Fire Wizard to attend our celebration.”
“His name is Rowan.”
